FIJI 7s coach Gareth Baber wants to build a culture whereby whenever the national team leaves our shores, players have the characteristics of controlling themselves on the field.
According to Baber there was a lot of talent in the country who can get to the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series but there were other factors that needed to be considered.
“It is very difficult because we are not playing in the World Sevens Series so no one can see us,” he said.
“But as much as we can talk about that, and we can talk as much about the talent, but there is a reality to playing in a World Sevens Series event.
“The talent might be able to get you there but there are other things that you have to have like that emotional control on the field.
“We call it discipline in this part of the world. It is not just discipline of whether you throw a punch at somebody or you answer back at the referee, it is discipline to get the technique of the game right.”
Baber said the players needed to be coached the right way.
“The talent is great to have in this part of the world and it is a huge asset to us,” he said.
“But it has to be managed with the ability to control yourself on the rugby field as well. Certainly that’s the message that has gone out to the match officials, coaches and the players over the five to six weeks to continue to do. It is hugely important that a Fiji team leaving our shores has those characteristics. We have had it at times and we haven’t had it other times. Normally when we haven’t had it, we haven’t been as successful as we would have liked.”
